This month, the Mahayana Temple Retreat has reached an exciting milestone for our reconstruction efforts. We have received approval from the New York State Department of Health to build a new well onsite. Having a new well available is crucial for the retreat reconstruction because it will enable us to provide utilities for the future buildings.
The guest experience at our temple has remained a significant consideration during development planning, and this new well will support improvements to the experience.
We are grateful for the efforts of the engineering team, who has spent months participating in planning meetings and conducting site visits. It is thanks to their continuous work that we have reached this milestone. By building the well first, our intent is to connect the utilities as soon as the Avalokiteshvara Hall reconstruction is complete.
Our next step is for tests to be performed by a well drilling company to ensure we will be providing our guests with reliable water that is safe and clean. The first test is a 24+ hour stabilized flow test conducted on an existing well that will indicate the new well’s long-term productivity. Once the flow test is complete, the necessary water samples will be collected for additional testing.
Eventually, when tests have been completed and all is deemed safe, we plan to have the new well drilled West of the main temple grounds, toward Ira Vail Road. This location was specifically chosen for the least disruption to the natural surroundings of the temple and the least disturbance to the ecosystem of the temple grounds.
We wait in anticipation for the day we can reveal more reconstruction plans near the proposed site of the new well. We hope you are as excited as we are.
In the meantime, readers can subscribe to our blog newsletter to be notified when we publish updates. Those who feel moved to support our reconstruction efforts may make a donation via our Paypal or Venmo accounts. May the merits of your contributions bring blessings.
